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Tools to help get a Rowing Scholarship
By Kate Stockton
To begin the process of seeking
out a rowing scholarship at your top choice college
it is important to understand the qualities that make
up a desirable rowing recruit as well as some helpful
tools to help prove that you have what it takes. Listed
below are qualities that most coaches would want in
their student-athletes. Check off the ones that you
think apply to you, and then ask your coach to do the
same. If you have more than 10, you are on the right
track!
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Strong academics (if
you can't perform in your classes you'll be cut
from the team) |
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Gold,
silver or bronze at a regional, state or national
regatta (proof that you can perform) |
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Strong
recommendation from a coach (written or verbal) |
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Appropriate
build/size for rowers (ideally over
6' 2" for a male, over 5' 8" for a
female with an athletic build) |
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Evidence
of strong work ethic |
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Positive "can
do" attitude |
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Coach-a-bility
(able to take constructive criticism and use
it to become a better rower) |
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Good
role model for the team. You don't have to be
a captain but you should have a positive effect
on the rest of your team and make them want to
be better. |
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Good
team player |
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Good
fit for the college in more ways than one. Academics,
athletics, socially, etc. |
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Mature
and independent. Coaches want to know that you
will come to them if you have an issue, not have
mom or dad call and complain on your behalf |
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Good/Contagious
personality - if they think that you are the
type who will attract future recruits to want
to be on their team, this is a major bonus! |
| 1. |
Create
a rowing resume. You are trying to be a highly
sought out recruit so you need to have your strengths
highlighted in a way that show why a college crew
coach has to have you on his or her team. Include
facts such as your best 2K and 5K/6K times, your
height and weight (if you are comfortable disclosing
that), any regional, state or national races that
you got medaled at, and your GPA, class rank and
SAT/ACT scores. |
| 2. |
Improve
your "coach-a-bility factor". Ask yourself
- do I second guess my coach a lot? Do I complain
a lot? Do I skip practice every now and then?
If you answered yes to any of these questions,
you need to work on this! You could even try
asking your coach what you can improve on. Bottom
line is - get your high school coach on your
side. You need a great recommendation from him/her. |
| 3. |
No matter
how strong or weak you are now, get better! Showing
an improvement goes very far. Starting off weak
and staying weak is bad, starting off strong
and getting weaker is the worst. Ask your coach
how you can improve your technique or what exercises
you can do at home to get stronger. Track your
improvement and include it on your rowing resume. |
| 4. |
Make
contact with your future coaches! Start with
the admissions office and ask them who to contact.
The NCAA has rules on when you can speak to them
but it doesn't hurt if you try to initiate the
contact. Tell them that you are seriously interested
in attending their college (academics first!)
and rowing for their program. Showing that you've
done your homework and know about the college
on top of the fact that you are confident will
really impress them. |
| 5. |
Make
sure that you are the one making the contact.
If you are really shy, talk to mom, dad, coach
or a guidance counselor to come up with a game
plan on what you will say. It is always easier
to have mom or dad make the calls, and sometimes
they might even want to, but I cannot stress
it enough - you will make such a strong impression
if you call so why pass up this opportunity.
You can always call back later or email if you
forget to ask an important question. |
| 6. |
Visit
your top 3 - 5 colleges and arrange to meet one
of the crew coaches when you are there. Get a
confirmation that you are meeting with the coach
before you make the trip. This will give you
a sense to see if you like the college as well
as how well you will fit in on the team. See
if you can arrange to sit in on classes, eat
a meal with the team or even attend the practice. |
| 7. |
Make
follow up contact with the coach or recruiter.
If you get accepted, call them and tell them.
They might already know but showing your enthusiasm
is a good thing. Do this even if you are undecided
on which college is your first choice. |
| 8. |
Try
to see if you can meet a coach at one of your
races. If your team happens to go to the same
races that your dream college attends, try to
let them know that before hand and then find
their tent and introduce yourself. Introducing
yourself is the best, having someone you know
on the team or a coach introduce you is good,
but having mom or dad do the dirty work for you
is a no-no! |
Using
these tools will not guarantee that you will get
a scholarship. However, it increases your chances
if you can find ways to prove to a coach that you
would be a valuable addition to his or her team.
 
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